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Webnews - Doha

11.01.2011 | Starseite 1, Tennis

Federer begins year on high note (The Province)

World No. 2 Roger Federer began his season in formidable fashion by beating Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-4 to win the Qatar Open on Saturday. Federer did not drop a set throughout the tournament, and is looking good heading into the Australian Open, which begins Jan. 17. "I'm very happy to kick off the season today this way," Federer said. "I think I played an amazing match ... it will give me a lot of confidence for the remainder of the season."

Roger Federer has sent a warning to his rivals ahead of his Australian Open defence, starting next week. Opening the new season as he ended the last, the Swiss master declared himself "almost flawless" after winning his third Qatar Open in Doha yesterday. The world No. 2 wrested the Qatar title back from the defending champion, Russia's Nikolay Davydenko, 6-3 6-4 to earn his 67th crown. Federer will practise on Rod Laver Arena this week before seeking a record 17th major singles success. "It is important to do well here," Federer said after dispensing with Davydenko in Doha. "I'm not just using this to get ready for the Australian Open. "When he's on, he's easily top 10 if not top 5 potentially, and that's why this is obviously a huge win, because I thought he was playing well. I thought the level of play was extremely high. I was very happy with it from my side. I was almost flawless and I was able to play offensive when I needed to and, when I wanted to, it all worked out.So I'm really pleased with such a great final."

Federer king for third time in Qatar (Gulf Times)

Roger Federer became the first man to win three titles in Doha when he outclassed Nikolay Davydenko in the final of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex. “ Yeah, I think this is the best I have played against Davydenko. I mean, look, I think his serve has very much improved over the years and he’s become so solid and so, how do you say, just accurate with his shots over the years,” said Federer who noted that the Russian had won several titles. The authoritative victory also puts Federer in an excellent frame of mind to defend his title at the Australia Open in a week’s time. “I mean, people almost put too much of an emphasis that it’s purely a preparation tournament, and I don’t like to see it that way, because regardless of how I go here, I still have a week in Melbourne where I’ll prepare for the Australian Open. That’s preparation week for me. It was important to do well here. I’m not just only using this to get ready for the Australian Open. This is a pleasure coming to this part of the world where I actually do spend quite a bit of time, and I’ve always had, you know, good friends here in Qatar. I love playing here, been successful here in the past. That’s the reason why I come here, not because of the Australian Open really.”